Diathermy apparatus for sinus treatment



Jan. 24, 1928. 1,657,149 DE FOREST B. CATLIN DIATHERMY APPARATUS FOR SINUS TREATMENT Filed Au 11. 1926 fiwmZZ r jkl warijmm W 7 through the sinuses Patented Jan. 24, 1928.

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DE ronnsr ncnrrin. on Boston, iaassaonusnrrs DIA'IHER-MY AP'PARATUS FOE, SINUS TREATMENT.

Application filed August 11, 1926'. Serial No. 128.614.

This invention relates to apparatus for utilizing diathermy in the treatment of the frontal and the two lateral sinuses of the hu man head. This treatment involves the application of sinus electrodes of the surfaces of the head nearest the sinuses, and an opposite electrode or electrodes to an opposite surface or surfaces, usually the back of the iatients neck, in such relation to the sinus electrodes that a sine wave pulsating current produced "y a suitable machine will pass and generate heat in the intermediate tissues. The relative positions of these surfaces have heretofore rendered it difficult to conveniently locate the sinus electrodes and maintain them in the desired relative positions.

It is an accepted fact that the generation of heat within the tissues by the use of diathermy, may be localized to a considerable extent, by using at one side of the anatomy under treatment, electrodes which are small er than those at the opposite side, the highest temperature being always nearer the smaller than the larger electrodes. Two opposed electrodes ofthe same size of area of contact Wlll locate the highest tempera ture midway between the electrodes.

My invention has for its object to provide a diathermy apparatus for sinus treatment adapted to quickly, conveniently, and securely locate the sinus electrodes in position to conform closely to the surfaces of the face adjacent the sinuses and to the opposite surfaces, and cause the location of higlr est temperature in either sinus alone, or in all the sinuses simultaneously.

I attain this and otherrelated objects by the improvements hereinafter described and claimed.

Of the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification,

Figure 1 shows in perspective the three sinus electrodes and their holder, constituting an element of my improved apparatus.

Figure 2 shows the entire apparatus inelevation, as it appears in use.

Figure 3 is afront elevation ofthe same.

Figure 4-. shows in perspective one of the larger electrodes hereinafter described.

Figure 5 is an edge View, showing the two larger electrodes shown by Figures 2 and 3, and confining means associated with the electrodes.

Figures 6 and 'i' show an insulating member adapted to render either sinus electrode. inoperative.

The same reference characters indicate the same parts in all of the figures. l2 designates the sinus electrode used adacent to the frontal sinus of the human head, 13, 13 designate the sinus electrodes used adjacent to the two lateral sinuses.

I here show two opposed electrodes 14?;

adapted to bear on a surfaceopposite the surfaces on which the sinus electrodes bear, theelectrodes l l being larger than the sinus electrodes, to cause the location of high est temperature at the region of the sinuses. hese electrodes are herinafter calledthe larger electrodes. The sinus electrodes are mounted on a holder having a binding-post 15, for engagement with a conductor 16. The holder is preferably composed of an upper arm 17, projecting upwardly from the binding-post, and two lower arms 18, projecting laterally and inwardly from the bindingpost. The sinus electrodes are provided with coupling posts or shanks 19, having sockets receiving the outer end portions of the holder arms and havingset screws 20. I provide adjustable confining means engaged with the hold-er and adapted to hold the sinus electrodes in their operative positions, with the frontal electrode adjacent to the frontal sinus, and the lateral electrodes adjacent to the lateral sinuses. In this instance, the confining means is embodied in a strap 23, engaged with a lug 22,

on the holder and provided with a buckle 24, the strap surrounding the patients head above the ears and pressing the holder and the sinus electrodes inwardly, so that the electrodes are held or clamped against the several surfaces on which they are intended to bear. The strap bears on the uppersides of the protruding portions of the ears and is prevented thereby from slipping downward. Theelectrodes are adjustable on the holder arms, to enable their location when in use to be varied, and to conform them to faces of various forms and sizes. The frontal electrode 12 may be raised and low ered by sliding its post on the upper arm 17. The lateral electrodes may be adjusted horiz ontally by sliding their posts on the lower arms 18, and their inclination may be varied by turning the posts on the arms. The set screws 20 maintain the electrodes in all adjustments. The arms are preferably llll , electrodes posed electrodes.

somewhat resilient or springy, so that they permit the contacting" surfaces of the electrodes to conform closely to the surfaces on which they bear. i

I provide, as an adjunct of the apparatus, insulation consisting of plates or disks 25, of hard rubber or. fiber, each adapted to be interposed between a sinus electrode and the surface on which it bearswhen in operation,-

as indicated by Figure 7, thus rendering the electrode inoperative. The sinus electrodes may therefore be used selectively, eithcrone, two, or all oi. the electrodes being )eratire. Each otthesinus electrodes is oi substantially the same size, or has the same suril'ace are: as the others, and each smaller than the opposed electrodes it, called the larger eleetrodci'i;

'lhere are preferably two larger electrodes t l, although only one may, be used, if desired.- Each electrode 14:, has i a binding-post 26, to engage a conductor 27; Iassociate with the larger electrodes, adjustable c0nfining means adapted to hold the electrodes againstthe pat-ientls neck, imposition to cooperate with theisinus electrodes in causing thepassage of sine waves through the interposed tissues. In this instance, two

larger electrodes 1i being employed, these are located, the one at. one side ofthe backportion of the neck, and the other at the opposite sidc ofsaid back portion, as indicated by dotted lines in I igure The dotted lines in Figures 2, indicate the directions ,in which sine waves may pass from the siIlLl-S electrodes to the larger op- As above stated, one electrode 14:, insteadof two, may be employed, two being the preferred nun'iber.

The preferredadjustable confining means used with the electrodes l l, includes flexible straps 28, fixed to the electrodes, each electrode having a strap projecting from one of its ends, as shown by Figure Each electrode has {115003 fastener, adapted to adjustably engage the strap projectingfrom the other electroi'lt-i, the fastenerbeing in this instance, a lever buckle composed ol a serratedjjaw portion 29, and a lover portion ,30, fixed to the jaw portion, thetwo portions being pivoted to cars Sl ihced to and projecting outward from the electrode, The arrangement is such that,theflelcctrodcs let may be connected by the straps and fasteners to form a neck-band adapted to be contracted about the patients neck, and thus hold theelectrodes in operative contact with the neck surface, the electrodes 14 being rariably spaced apart. The binding post, the three conducting arms and the sinus clectrodes collectively constitute a tripod, of which the electrodes are the feet, these being the only parts of the tripod which touch the face. The tripod has a three-point bearing on the :face and is adapted to, be maintained in its operative position by the engagement of the member with the strap aiulby the bearing of thestrap on the cars.

I claim: t

1. Diathermy apparatus .it'or sinus; treatment comprising a landing-post, two lower conducting arms projecting laterally in opposite directions therefrom, lateral sinus electrodes adjustably secured to the lower itllllii and ar 'anged to bearton, iaceipmtiruie at, opposite sides of thenose and adjacent the lateral sinuses, an intermediate:conducting arm projecting upwardly from the hiiuling-post, between lhelower arms, a frontal sinus electrode adjustably secured to the intermediate arm and arranged to bear on the forehead adjacent the frontal sinus, the binding-post, the arms, and the electrodes constituting a tripod of which the electrodes are the only members touching thefacr, and a head-cmbracing strap engaging said tri pod and adapted to be ei'n'itracted upon the head above the ears, and confine the tripod with the electrodes pressed against the face, the arrangement being,- suchythat when the apparatusis in use, thestrap is prerented by the Years from slipping dowilward, and maintains the tripod with the electrodes m to their .1ope 'ztive positions relative to the masses.

2. Diathern'iy apparatus as specified by claim 1, the electrodes being provided with soclceted couplingoposts receiving the outer and portions of the arms, and adjustable on the arms to conform the electrodes to variously formed faces. the posts having clamping,screws, whereby they maybe lined lo the arms to maintain variimsadjustments of the electrodes.

In testimony whereof :I have allixed my signature.

on concern. GATLIN. 

